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Mets 101 Seven in Seven Series: Top Mets Players of All Time #7-David Wright

November 25th, 2012 at 6:26 PM By Mike Phillips

Just in time for the holiday season, Mets 101's Seven in Seven series returns as our gift to you. Each week, the Mets 101 staff will begin a countdown of something related to the New York Mets ( i.e. best third baseman, worst defeat, etc.). We will begin our countdown on Sundays with number seven and work all the way to number one. This week's Seven in Seven list is a dandy, as we will break down the greatest Mets players of all time. We will begin our countdown with the seventh greatest Met of all time, David Wright.

Analysis:David Wright is currently holding the title of face of the franchise. This title is for good reason, as Wright is the team's longest tenured player and continues to make an assault on the team's record books. Wright is already the franchise leader in several hitting categories including hits (1428), runs (790), doubles (322), RBI's (818), and Walks (616). Wright also has compiled 204 home runs in his Mets career to rank third behind Darryl Strawberry (252) and Mike Piazza (220). Wright currently ranks fifth in stolen bases with 166 (although catching franchise leader Jose Reyes' 370 will be quite a task) and is one of two Mets to have a career batting average above .300 with the team (John Olerud is the franchise leader at .315). Given those numbers, it is fairly clear why Wright belongs in the list of the top seven players in franchise history.

The question then becomes why Wright is only seventh on the list of the best players to ever wear blue and orange. The answer to that is two fold. The first part of that category involves the fact that the team around Wright has not been successful, as Wright has only one playoff appearance in his young career. The players ahead of him on this list have all made at least a World Series with the team, while five of them have rings. Wright could solidify his status as the greatest Mets position player of all time if he could add a ring to his resume.

Another reason why Wright is only seventh is due to the fact that his story is still being written. The Mets are not a franchise known for having a history of tremendous position players. As a matter of fact, the team has never developed a Hall of Fame position player in its 40 year history. In addition, the few great position players the franchise has developed haven't hung around for too long. Darryl Strawberry, who until Wright's arrival was considered the best position player in franchise history, only played eight seasons in New York. Mike Piazza, generally considered the second best offensive player in Mets history, only played eight as well. Wright is in the midst of contract negotiations to secure an extension that would keep him in Queens for the rest of his career. If Wright and the Mets can reach a deal, Wright will have a chance to become the greatest position player in franchise history and, possibly, the franchise's second Hall of Famer.

Check back tomorrow as we reveal the sixth best player in Mets history as part of our Seven in Seven series!